Articulated doll



7, 9 A. a. ESTERN ETAL 3, ,442

ARTICULATED DOLL Filed April 18, 1965 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VENTORS mwv: 5TERN IVE/l. E6 TE RN Dec. 7, 1965 A. G. ESTERN ETAL 3,221,442

ARTICULAIED DOLL Filed April 18, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG; 3

INVENTORS n/v/ve" 5 TERN we. 55 TERN Dec. 7, 1965 A. G. ESTERN ETAL3,221,442

ARTICULATED DOLL Filed April 18, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORS n/wve 5TERN NEIL 5s TERN A, MM Mm United States Patent 3,221,442 ARTICULATEDDULL Anne G. Estern and Neil C. Estern, both of 82 Remsen St., Brooklyn,N.Y. Filed Apr. 18, 1963, Ser. No. 273,943 6 (Jlaims. (Cl. 46154) Ourpresent invention relates to an improved and novel doll constructionand, more particularly, to a doll capable of being manipulated in themanner of a puppet.

Heretofore, dolls were ordinarily manufactured of relatively hard orsubstantially rigid parts of vinyl or polyethylene, for example, whichwere jointed to one another in one of many suitable fashions. Prior tothis mode of construction, dolls were formed of parts essentially ofwood pulp covered by cloth. These dOlls were desirable because theyprovided for a cuddly effect or soft feeling for an infant during play.Recently a doll has been proposed for such purposes having a relativelysoft body. However, this doll as in the case of its predecessors was notable to stand or sit in View of the particular construction involved.

An object of our invention is to provide a doll possessing the desirablecuddly effect and soft feeling found desirable by most infants and, atthe same time, a doll which would retain as much rigidity as possible aswell as readily j oinable parts.

Another object is to provide a doll particularly one fabricated inaccordance with the objective above which would inspire play by aninfant by the inclusion of means for permitting manipulation of the dollin the manner of a puppet.

A further object is to provide the foregoing dolls manufactured ofrelatively few parts each individually simple in construction andreadily assemblable in a minimum of time at relatively reduced costs.

A doll incorporating the teachings of our present invention will includethe usual hear, arms and legs readily coupled with a torso. The torso isso constructed and arranged to provide for manipulation of at least onebody part by the finger of a hand by merely employing a ratherexpeditious maneuver of the hand. In this connection, the torso isformed from a top and base section which are, respectively, coupled withthe head and legs of the finished doll. These sections are connectedwith one another by means of a connecting means constituted essentiallyof a ball member coupled with the top section by an interposed flexiblespring means. The ball member engages surfaces of the bottom section andcooperates therewith to provide a ball and socket joint or swivelconnection. A biasing means is incorporated into the torso whereby thebase section is urged towards the ball member. In this way, a degree ofuniversal movement is provided for the upper part of the doll. A sheetof resilient material is wrapped around the torso to give body thereto.A sack is then placed around the wrapped torso. This sack is coupledwith the top section and placed around the base section between the hipsof the doll. Means are incorporated into the sack to provide for acertain degree of elasticity which adds to the body or fullness effectfor the doll torso. The sack i suitably formed to provide for theanchoring thereto of the arms. The sack is so constructed and arrangedto provide access for a hand, the fingers of which would engage with atleast one of a number of body parts whereby the doll would bemanipulated in the manner of a puppet. Under the circumstances, the dollwould be suitably clothed and,

at the same time, provide for this puppetry effect. A doll fabricated inaccordance with the above would be sufficiently rigid and provided withjointed parts which would permit the doll to stand and sit when desired.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the followingdetailed description which is to be taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings illustrating a somewhat preferred embodiment ofour invention and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a puppet doll fabricated in accordancewith our present invention showing the positioning of a hand interiorlythereof for purposes of manipulating body parts;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the several parts that areassembled in accordance with our invention in arriving at the puppetdoll;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along the line3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken along the line 4-4 ofFIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of FIG.3;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken along the line 6-6 ofFIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 77 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 8-8 of FIG.3; and

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view 9-9 of FIG. 3.

The doll illustrated in the drawings includes a head lll, a pair of arms12 and 14, a pair of legs 16 and 18, all of which are coupled with asimulated body torso. This torso includes an upper section 20 and alower section 22 which are connected with one another by means whichinclude a ball member 24 and flexible spring means 26 with the ballmember 26 urged into engagement with the base section 22 by means of abiasing means 28. In order to provide the torso with body, a sheet ofresilient material 30 is wrapped around the torso parts. A sack 32 isthen placed over these wrapped parts and is coupled with the top section20 and wrapped around the base section 22 between the leg sockets bymeans of an elastic material which further adds to the substance or bodyeffect of the body torso.

Referring now to the connection of the doll head 10 to the top section20 of the torso, it will. be appreciated at the outset that the dollhead at this connection is substantially resilient and elastic whereasthe top section is formed of substantially rigid material. The base ofthe doll head or, more accurately, the neck is formed with a pair ofradially inwardly extending circumferential flanges 34 and 36 both ofwhich define a central opening 38. The top section 20 extends partiallythrough this opening whereby a radial flange 40 is adapted to beresiliently engaged by the spaced flanges 34 and 36. The top sectionfurther includes a lower substantially enlarged flange 42 both of whichflanges cooperate to define opening 44 of a size sufiicient to permitthe introduction of the forefinger of ones hand. The forward part of thetop section is formed with a substantially vertically extending arcuateor curved finger-engaging panel 46. As will be discussed in detailbelow, finger pressure exerted on this panel will have the effect ofmoving the. dolls head in the intended direction.

Animation of the arms 12 and 14 is also contemplated and, in thisconnection, the arms Will have at least the taken along the line upperparts thereof provided with a hollow or recess 48 to provide access foreither the thumb or middle finger of the same hand. In order tofacilitat the introduction of these fingers into the hollow of the arms,the arms are outwardly flared as at 50. These flared ends 50 aresuitably secured to the sack 32 as, for example, by inserting theseflared ends into the sack openings 52 and then stitching the sackmaterial and flared ends to one another.

In the construction and assembly of the torso, a pair of spaceddownwardly extending studs 54 and 56 of the top section 20 are adaptedto be securely engaged with the upper ends of the respective springs 58and 60 of the resilient means 26. These springs are essentially coiledsprings which firmly embrace or engage the teeth 62 formed into each ofthe studs 54 and 56.

The lower ends of each of the springs 58 and 60 are similarly secured toa pair of upwardly extending similarly constructed threaded studs 64 and66, respectively, of the ball member 24. This ball member includes alower ball forming part 68 and an integral upwardly extending recessedpart 70 from which the studs 64 and 66 extend. The ball member 24 isfurther recessed at 72 to receive pin 74 which serves to anchor one endof the rubber band 76 of the biasing means 28. The ball part 68 isformed with a central bore or opening 78 through which the rubber band76 extends.

The ball forming part 68 of the ball member 24 is universally movable inthe socket forming part 80 of the torso base section 22. As shown, thebase section is substantially hollow to accommodate the biasing means 28and is also formed with a pair of leg receiving sockets 82 and 84.

The upper ends 86 and 88 of the respective legs 16 and 18 convenientlynest in the sockets 82 and 84, respectively. These upper ends of thelegs are preferably hollow and each is provided with an outwardlyextending hook 90 having a swivel connection with an anchoring plate 92which bears against the inner surfaces of the associated leg while thehook extends outwardly therefrom, as shown. Each of the hooks areanchored to the lower end of the rubber band 76; and, in this manner,both of the legs 16 and 18 as well as the ball member 24 are movablyconnected with the torso base section 22.

In order to surround the shiftable and bendable parts of the torso and,at the same time, provide body thereto, a sheet of resilient material 30is wrapped around the torso. It should be understood that, if desired,this sheet of material may be provided preformed.

A sack is now placed over the wrapped torso and supplements the bodyeffect. In this connection, the sack is provided with a neck opening 94which is disposed between the radial flanges 36 and 42 of the doll headand torso top section 20, respectively. The lower end of the sackincludes a piece ofelastic material 961 disposed between the legs 16 and18 and over the bottom surface of the base section 22 of the torso andenables the sack to give in response to manipulation of doll. Asexplained in the foregoing, the arms 12 and 14 are stitched to the sackwhile being disposed in the openings 52.

The sack 32 includes a front piece 98 and a rear piece 100, locatedessentially over the front and back respectively of the simulated torso;with the exception that the top of the rear piece extends over the frontface of the curved panel 46 of the top torso section and under theradial flange 42. In addition, the sack includes a pocket or pouch 102defined by the piece 104 and the previously discussed rear piece 100. Anopening 106 is defined leading into the pocket 102 both of which are ofsufficient size to permit entry of ones hand. To facilitate theengagement of the piece 104 with the rear of the inserted hand, a lengthof elastic may be stitched around the lower end 108 of the piece 104.

Thus, in order to manipulate the doll of our invention in the manner ofa puppet, one need only insert a hand into the pocket 102, placing theforefinger through the opening 44 and into engagement with the curvedpanel 46. At the same time, the thumb and middle finger of this handwould be placed into the upper ends of the arms 12 and 14 through theassociated sack openings 52. By moving the middle finger or thumb, orboth, the arms of the doll will be moved a corresponding amount. Thehead of the doll will similarly be moved by merely pressing against thecurved plate 46. In this connection, by pressing forwardly against thispanel 46, the springs 58 and 60 will be flexed.

The doll may readily assume a standing position by suitably positioningthe legs relative to the body torso until a stable standing position isobtained. A sitting position is obtained. A sitting position issimilarly assumed by shifting the legs forwardly with respect to thetorso. The previously discussed ball and socket joint enables the dollto bend at the waist, if and when desired. Furthermore, this connectionor joint enables the doll to turn in either direction at the waist.Accordingly, substantial universal movement of the doll waist isprovided by our invention.

The doll of our invention can be dressed in any suitable fashion.However, it should be understood that the particular dress or clothingshould have incorporated therein suitable means 110 to facilitate entryof ones hand into pocket 102.

Thus, the several aforenoted objects and advantages are most effectivelyattained. Although a single and somewhat preferred embodiment has beendiscussed in detail herein, it should be understood that our inventionis in no sense limited thereby, but is to be determined by the scope ofthe appended claims.

We claim:

1. A doll comprising in combination: a torso including a top section andbase section, connecting means intermediate said sections andinterconnecting bot-h sections with one another, said connecting meanscomprising a ball member and spring means interconnecting said ballmember with said top section, said base section and ball member havinginterengaging surfaces defining a substantially swivel joint, and saidconnecting means also including biasing means for urging said ballmember relatively towards said base section; a pair of arms; means forcoupling said arms to said to torso, a pair of legs; said connectingmeans further including means for coupling said legs to said basesection; a head; and said biasing means being anchored to each of saidlegs and said ball member; means for coupling said head to said topsection; and a sack extending substantially over said torso and beingcoupled with said top section and base section, said arms beingconnected with said sack.

2. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein resilient sheetmaterial is disposed around. said connecting means.

3. A doll comprising in combination: a torso including a top section anda base section, connecting means intermediate said sections andinterconnecting both sections with one another, said connecting meanscomprising a ball member and spring means interconnecting said ballmember with said top section, said base section and ball member havinginterengaging surfaces defining a substantially swivel joint, and saidconnecting means further including biasing means for urging said ballmember relatively towards said base section; a pair of arms; means forcoupling said arms to said torso; a pair of legs extending from saidbase section, said connecting means also including means for couplingsaid legs to said base section; a head; means for coupling said head tosaid top section; a sack extending substantially over said torso andbeing coupled with top section and base section; said sack includingmeans for providing access for a hand; and means associated with saidtorso for manipulating at least one body part of the doll by said handin the man. ner of a puppet.

4. The invention in accordance with claim 3, wherein said top section isprovided with an opening means for engagement by the forefinger of thehand for moving said head.

5. The invention in accordance with claim 3, wherein said arms aresubstantially hollow and said sack includes means whereby the arms areadapted to be engaged in the hollow part thereof by the thumb and indexfinger for moving the arms.

6. The invention in accordance with claim 3, wherein said doll isclothed, and such clothes are so designed and arranged to provide accessfor the hand to be inserted into said sack.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 849,588 4/ 1907West 46-154 1,595,203 10/ 1926 Leathers 46156 2,129,421 9/1938 Hales.2,202,677 5/ 1940 Usinskis. 2,619,771 12/1952 Jones 46-454 2,760,3038/1956 Del Mas. 3,010,253 11/1961 Ostrander.

RICHARD C. PINKHAM, Primary Examiner.

3. A DOLL COMPRISING IN COMBINATION: A TORSO INCLUDING A TOP SECTION ANDA BASE SECTION, CONNECTION MEANS INTERMEDIATE SAID SECTIONS ANDINTERCONNECTING BOTH SECTIONS WITH ONE ANOTHER, SAID CONNECTING MEANSCOMPRISING A BALL MEMBER SAID SPRING MEANS INTERCONNECTING SAID BALLMEMBER WITH SAID TOP SECTION, SAID BASE SECTION AND BALL MEMBER HAVINGINTERENGAGING SURFACES DEFINING A SUBSTANTIALLY SWIVEL JOINT, AND SAIDCONNECTING MEANS FURTHER INCLUDING BIASING MEANS FOR URGING SAID BALLMEMBER RELATIVELY TOWARDS SAID BASE SECTION; A PAIR OF ARMS; MEANS FORCOUPLING SAID ARMS TO SAID TORSO; A PAIR OF